Lonavala Travel A Charming Hill Station Tours

For
A Healthy Holiday Lonavala and Khandala are two charming little hill
stations on the western slopes of the Sahyadris, 5-km apart, that straddle
the Mumbai - Pune highway at an altitude of 625m, quite popular as health
resorts. Blessed by the nature in bounty, the hill resorts have plethora of
places of Tourist Attraction in Lonavala & Khandala - Beautiful Hills,
Deep Green Valleys, Huge Lakes, Historic Forts, Waterfalls, etc.

Lonavala and Khandala offer breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls
during the monsoon, and the surrounding mountains of the plains spread out
to the horizon. A trip to these holiday resorts can be combined with that on
the Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves, which are very near from Lonavala.

Lonavala is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra. It is
set amongst the slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Also known as the "Jewel
of The Sahyadri", Lonavala is a place of this regionwhere nature is
present in its entire splendor. It has become famous because of nature's
gift of beautiful valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery, and
pleasant cool winds.

Khandala being the smaller of the two is relatively calmer and is the pride
of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty and
like Lonavala, Khandala also provides a popular gateway from the hustle and
bustle of cities of Mumbai and Pune. The lush greenery of the mountains
especially during the monsoons and the misty paths attract tourist like
honeybees here. The silver waterfalls amidst the lush greenery are extremely
magical. Lonavala's bazaar is filled with surprises. The beauty of this
place is a refreshing experience.

How To Get There

By Air

Nearest airport is situated in Pune at
64-km.

By Rail

Lonavala is on the main railway line
between Mumbai and Pune. All express trains plying between the two cities
stop here. There is also an hourly shuttle service for Pune.

By Road

Lonavala situated on the Mumbai Pune
Highway. It is 104-km from Mumbai and 64-km from Pune. The bus service
between Lonavala and Pune is good. Buses shuttle between Lonavala and
Khandala. Travelers can hire bicycles on hourly basis to explore Lonavala or
to go to Khandala.

Places To Stay

The MTDC runs a resort at Karla
and another at Rye Woods, Lonavala. Many hotels that suit your budget and
pocket are available in Lonavala / Khandala. It is advisable to stay at
Khandala, being quietest of all with less traffic and good scenic views.
Also private bunglows are available for picnickers going overnight.

General Information

Location

Situated On Mumbai-Pune Highway,
Maharashtra.

Main Attraction

Many Lakes And Caves.

Best Time

Though one can enjoy the beauty of
these places through out the year, the best time to visit Lonavala and
Khandala is from October to May.

Prime Attractions of Khandala

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Island is the
site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings,
sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are
located at a distance of 11-km from Mumbai and are now designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial,
military and religions centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist
culture.

Gateway Of India

Mumbai's principal landmark,
the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water's edge at Apollo Bunder.
It is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city.
This famous monument was built to commemorate the visit of the first ever
British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

Bassein

Bassein is located 77-km away from
Mumbai, which is well connected by rail and road. It served as an important
shipbuilding centre in the early 17th century. Marathas defeated the
Portuguese in 1739 at this site. It bears a close resemblance to Goa, a
quite place where tourists can take time off from the crowd.

Bollywood

The home of the Hindi blockbuster,
the "All-India Film", is Mumbai, formerly Bombay. Famously known
as "Bollywood ".

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus

At the site of the
Koli's original temple to Mumba Devi now stands Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- one of Mumbai's most prominent buildings and architecturally one of the
finest stations in the world. It is built in a style that combines Gothic
and Indian influences. It was completed in 1885. Designed by F.W. Stevens
the building commenced in 1878. This Italian gothic Building has a frontage
of over 15,00 feet. The administrative offices form three sides of a
rectangle enclosing an ornamental garden, the entrance gate guarded by a
massive stone Lion and Tiger. The most prominent feature of this building is
the high 160 feet dome crowning the centre. On top of the giant dome is a
figure of a women with a torch held aloft to symbolise progress.

Esselworld And Water Kingdom

Perfect for a
one-day holiday, Esselworld offers over 40 exciting rides, games, and
attractions. The Water Kingdom is said to be the largest of its kind in
Asia. This is Mumbai's only international-style theme park and amusement
centre situated close to Gorai Beach.

Film City

The Film City is located away from
the city life, on a secluded peace of land in the vicinity of Aarey Colony.
The Film City is well equipped with large studios for indoor shootings,
recording room, a theater, and facilities like garden, lakes, ground for
fighting scenes, helipads etc. for outdoor shooting

Flora Fountain/ Hutama Chowk

This fountain
situated in the heart of the city was erected in 1869 in honour of a British
Governor of Bombay. Sir Brtle Frere. Flora Fountain marks a junction of five
streets and known as the 'Picadilly Circus 'of Mumbai, which is decorated at
its four corners with mythological figures, the Fountain is a structure in
dull stone with a figure the Roman Goddess of flowers, at the top.

Haji Ali Mausoleum

The mausoleum of the famous
Muslim saint, Haji Ali is located opposite the Mahalakshmi racecourse in
Mumbai. Set 500 yards into the sea, it stands in isolation and is a
splendid, which can be visited only at low tide.

Hanging Gardens

Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta
gardens, the Hanging gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These
gardens are popularly known as Hanging gardens, because of their location on
the slope of a hill.

Harishchandragad Fort

Harishchandragad Fort is
situated near Malshej Ghat in Junnar region. It is one of the best forts to
trek and very popular fort for trekkers and nature lovers. It is famous for
its height, its toughness and the famous 'Konkan Kada'.

Jehangir Art Gallery

Facing Elphistone College
and adjacent to the Prince of Wales Museum, this gallery situated at Kala
Ghoda is the most prestigious and modern venue for Indian artists. This
gallery, with its four exhibition halls, is one of the city's most highly
visible art galleries and having to exhibit a work of art here is a great
treat for artists

Jijamata Udyan Zoo

Rani Jijamata Udyan Victoria
Gardens, laid out in 1861 houses the Mumbai's Zoo. It houses many of the
rare and endangered species of animals and birds.

Juhu Beach

Juhu is one of the largest and
frequently visited beaches of India. Located 18-km north of the city centre,
it's a beckoning beach on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh
localities of Mumbai where one can find the bungalows of the famous film
personalities.

Kala Ghoda Festival

The Kala Ghoda Fair is a
celebration of arts and crafts held on every Sunday from November to
January. This fair is held in Mumbai near the Jehangir Art Gallery. Kala
Ghoda, the much touted art district of the city, brings together the works
of artistes in the fields of music, dance, theatre, film, and of course art
offering an interactive cultural mélange for Mumbaites.

Kanheri Caves

Archeologically speaking, the
Kanheri Caves located well within the park area is a major point of
interest, presenting an accessible and interesting glimpse of the history
and culture of Buddhist India. 109 Buddhist caves are situated in the
central part of the park and are evidence of the existence of monastic
settlements in 2nd to 9th century AD.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Karnala Bird Sanctuary
is situated in Panvel Taluka of Raigad District of Konkan Region covering an
area of 4.27-sq-km. Rich with natural habitats the sanctuary abounds in bird
life with various kinds of resident and migrant birds. One can find around
150 species of birds of resident and 37 species of migratory birds that
visit the sanctuary during winters.

Kihim & Mandwa

The village of Mandwa
captures the visitor's heart with its overwhelming serene atmosphere. Few
kilometres from Mandwa one can find Kihim beach, which is the ideal choice
to spend sometime away from the crowd and pollution.

Lion And Tiger Safari At Sanjay Gandhi National Park

One
of the main attractions to the National Park is the lion safari, which has
been drawing people to the park ever since it was started. One more
attraction of the park is the new "Tiger Safari" established on a
20-hectare area in the recreational zone.

Madh Island Beach

Madh Island is another
popular spot, which comes off surprisingly in the rural area of Mumbai's
northwestern coast. It is dotted with the bungalows of the urban upper
class.

Mahalaxmi/Mahalakshmi Temple

The Mahalaxmi
Temple located at the northern foot of the Malabar Hill, a part now called
Breach Candy in Mumbai, is a popular holy site. This is Mumbai's oldest
temple dedicated to Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

Maharashtrian/Konkani/Mumbai Cuisine Restaurants

The
best way to get a taste of Mumbai food is though its snacks.

Marine Drive-Chowpatty Beach

Marine Drive
located in the central Mumbai, built in the 1920s and 1930s on land
reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. It is also
referred to as "Queen's Necklace" because of the dramatic line of
street lamps lit up at night.At the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty
Beach, the only beach in the central part of Mumbai.

Modern Theatre In Mumbai

Modern Theatre in
India owes its origin to the development of large urban centres such as
Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

Mount Mary Church

Situated on a quiet hillock
in suburban Bandra, Mount Mary church is one of the most prominent church in
Mumbai with exquisite interiors.

Mount Mary's Festival

Mount Mary church is an
old church situated in Bandra, the suburb of Mumbai. In September a week
long fair is held every year in the precinct of this church. This fair is
popularly known as the Bandra fair and is celebrated on the occasion of
Mother Mary's birthday.

Mumbadevi Temple

Mumbadevi Temple is located in
Bhuleshwar, Mumbai. This temple is dedicated to city's patron Goddess
Mumbadevi. She is considered as Mumbai's resident deity.

Mumbai Fort

The area north of Colaba is known
as Mumbai Fort, since the old British fort was once located here. There are
a lot of impressive buildings from Mumbai's golden period here.

Mumbai chaat

Snacking is a favorite pastime of
the people of Mumbai. Chaat is probably the most widely eaten food in the
city, followed by "Bhelpuri", "Pani Puri", "Pav
Bhaji", "Batata Puri", etc. For those looking for
non-vegetarian snacks, there are the Muslim Kebabs, "Baida Roti"
(an egg Roti stuffed with minced meat), Tandoori Chicken, Seekh Kebabs, and
Fish Koliwada.

National Maritime Museum

Mumbai has a natural
harbour, which was developed by the British. It is one of the most busy
ports of India, handling approximately 40% of India's maritime trade. The
Navy has set up the maritime museum, which houses the historical treasures
of India obtained from other countries and models of ships built in Mumbai.

Nehru Planetarium

Nehru Planetarium is the only
astronomical centre in Mumbai and is situated in Worli. It is also a concert
cum movie auditorium.

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Phasand wildlife
sanctuary is located in Murud and Roha Talukas of Raigad district in Konkan
region, covering an area of 53-sq-km. The sanctuary represents a Coastal
Woodland Ecosystem of Western Ghats, which makes the habitat very rich and
offers highly peaceful atmosphere to the visitors

Prince Of Wales Museum

Amid the hustle and
bustle of Mumbai stand some stately buildings, remnants of the British Raj.
Among them is that of the Prince of Wales Museum, named after Prince George
(Later George V) who visited India in 1905 and laid the foundation stone of
the building

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi
National Park, better known as "Borivali National Park" is set in
hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali in Mumbai. Notified in 1974, it
offers a pleasant change from the usual sights and attractions of the big
city. It is hence common to see the park teeming with school picnics,
college picnics and other organized excursions.

Siddhivinayak Temple

Siddhi Vinayak, a temple
devoted to Ganesh, the elephant-headed God of Good Fortune, located at
Prabhadev in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Temples dedicated to Ganesh are very
famous as Shree Ganesh is the first to be worshipped before beginning any
new project or venture as he is the destroyer of obstacles.

Taraporewala Aquarium

Taraporewala Aquarium is
situated along the Marine Drive in Mumbai. This Aquarium houses exotic
marine life and rare species of fishes and also some exquisite pearl
jewellery. It is soon to be renovated into a high-tech Aquarium with a glass
vision seaworld

Vajreshwari Hot Springs

Vajreshwari is known
for its hot springs, the temple of Goddess Vajreshwari and the ashrams of
Swami Muktananda and Swami Nityanand. It is a famous health resort and also
a spiritual centre.

Vihar And Powai Lakes

Vihar and Powai Lakes are
two adjoining lakes in Mumbai suburbs. These lakes are popular picnic spots
where office goers, students and tourist groups often go for excursion on
weekends and holidays

Water Sports In Mumbai

Mumbai has a vast beach
line and has a unique distinction of being the first city in the country to
have a full-fledged water sports complex.